Arteta hints at big-money Vlahovic move
FT Desk
- 9 Jan 2022 17:00 GMT
- 3 min read
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal will look to sign a big-money forward in January if the right opportunity arises.
Reports have been rife in recent days that Arsenal are the new favourites to sign Fiorentina sensation Dusan Vlahovic.
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Vlahovic is the top-scorer of Serie A and only Robert Lewnadowski scored more league goals in 2021 in Europe’s top leagues than the Serbian hitman.
What did Arteta say?
When asked if the rumours are true that Arsenal are going to make a big-money move for a striker, Arteta said: "If it is the right player and we can afford it and we can do what we want to do, we will discuss it and make the best possible decision. We are open.
"I think with the amount of things and the way that we want to evolve the squad we have to maximise every window in many different ways and we are alert.
"[Technical director] Edu and his team are working very hard as we know exactly what we need to do and whether we can accomplish that in January or in the summer is a different question as it is related to other stuff.”
Arteta also confirmed once again that Arsenal will definitely sign a central midfielder in January.
The Gunners are short in the middle of the park having sent Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Roma on loan, and with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny at the Africa Cup of Nations.
"We are very, very short in midfield at the moment. But to be fair on a player, this cannot be the only argument to try to keep a player -- and a player that has been developed and raised through our academy,” Arteta said about Maitland-Niles’ exit.
"A player that has been patient in many moments and tried to fulfil his dream. He was very straight with me and I understood the situation and we think it's a good option.
"Obviously we are going to move and we are going to look for options because we are very short there."
